We’re tackling one of the biggest challenges educators face today: keeping students engaged in a world full of distractions. 

AJ Juliani joins me to explore how to create meaningful and relevant learning experiences that resonate with today’s learners, even in the age of TikTok, smartphones, and endless notifications.

He’s an educator, author, and speaker who serves as an instructor for the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (PLN). AJ has worked towards innovative learning experiences as the Director of Learning and Innovation for Centennial School District, as Curriculum Coordinator, as Tech Director, English teacher, football coach, and K-12 Instructional Coach.  His favorite role is being dad to five kids. You might know AJ from his books Adaptable, Empower, Launch, or The PBL Playbook.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• Why simply removing phones or distractions won’t solve the engagement problem.
• How to balance direct instruction with collaborative, student-centered learning.
• Why meaningful, relevant tasks are more effective than “rigorous” assignments for long-term learning.
• The “traffic light” system for integrating technology and AI into classroom activities.
• How to help students develop focus, self-regulation, and intrinsic motivation.
• Strategies for using choice and ownership to foster deeper learning experiences.
• The surprising truths about rigor, assessment, and knowledge transfer.
• How to create performance tasks that build real-world skills and make learning stick.
• Why human connection and relationships are more vital than ever in education.
• Practical advice for building long-term habits of engagement that go beyond quick fixes.

AJ also shares insights from his latest book and offers actionable strategies for educators who want to make their teaching meaningful and impactful in a rapidly changing world.

Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

Feeling blah these days? You’re not alone. Let’s dive into what it really means to keep going when motivation feels out of reach. 

Spoiler: it’s not about forcing yourself to feel happy or productive right away.  Instead, we’ll explore how to sit with your emotions, honor what your body and mind need, and take small, manageable steps forward—even when you don’t feel like it.

I’ll share why motivation isn’t always the answer, how “action before motivation” can help you regain momentum, and why rest and self-compassion are essential, not indulgent. 

You don’t have to navigate back to happy or motivated immediately—sometimes, just making it through the day is enough.

This episode is full of encouragement and practical strategies to help you move forward at your own pace. Tune in for a grounded, compassionate conversation that will remind you: it’s okay to feel how you feel, and you are enough, exactly as you are.

If this episode resonates with you, share it with a friend or colleague who might need a little extra encouragement today. 💛

Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

How can teachers embrace creativity in their classrooms when faced with rigid curriculums, standardized testing, and limited time? That’s the question I’m exploring today with Trevor Muir, an educator, author, and advocate for creative teaching. Trevor’s taught at the middle, high school, and college level, and applies that experience to his numerous books, courses, and in-person PD sessions.

In this episode, Trevor shares personal stories from his own classrooms, including how vulnerability helped him connect with students and why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools for engaging learners. 

We cover topics such as:

• How to redefine creativity beyond art and big projects to include everyday teaching challenges
• Why vulnerability and failure are essential for creativity and how to model these for your students
• Practical strategies to encourage student risk-taking and buy-in through feedback and collaboration
• How storytelling can make lessons more dynamic, memorable, and relevant
• The benefits of involving students in the creative process to empower and engage them
• Why cultivating creativity in your personal life can positively impact your teaching.

By embracing creativity, you can create a classroom experience that energizes you, engages your students, and brings joy back to teaching.

Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

AI tools are transforming the way teachers plan lessons, but how do you use them without losing the personal touch that makes your teaching unique? In this episode of Truth for Teachers, I’m showing you how to use AI as a time-saving tool while still keeping your lessons authentic, creative, and tailored to your students.

Here’s what you’ll learn :

• How to choose the right AI tools, like ChatGPT, Curipod, and Canva Magic Write, to fit your planning needs.
• The step-by-step process for using AI to brainstorm, outline, and enhance lesson plans. Prompt examples for generating lesson ideas, differentiating activities, and improving engagement.
• Why you don’t need to have perfectly worded prompts to get great results (and how to prompt when you’re unsure of what you need)
• Tips for refining AI-generated ideas and adapting them to your teaching style.
• Practical strategies for using AI to differentiate instruction for students at various learning levels.

By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly how to harness AI to make lesson planning faster and easier—while keeping your expertise and creativity front and center. AI can’t replace you, but it can free you up to do what you do best: inspire and connect with your students.

Download the FREE prompt guide for lesson plans here: https://truthforteachers.kit.com/d9a5dc710b

Take the FREE mini course on using AI to save time: https://courses.truthforteachers.com/courses/AI-mini-course

Learn more about 40 Hour AI to help you save time with artificial intelligence as a teacher: https://courses.truthforteachers.com/bundles/40-hour-AI

Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

What if the key to managing challenging student behavior isn’t about "fixing" the kids—but about regulating yourself? In this episode, we explore a sustainable approach to classroom management that shifts the focus to what you can control. Join me and my guest, Claire, as we discuss how self-regulation empowers teachers to create calmer, more effective learning environments while building trust and healthier responses in students.

Here’s what we cover in this episode:

• Why traditional behavior management strategies often fall short.
• How self-regulation in teachers sets the tone for the entire classroom.
• The role of neuroscience in understanding student behavior and stress responses.
• Practical strategies for co-regulation and creating micro-moments of connection.
• Why “fixing” student behavior isn’t your job—and what you can do instead.
• How to craft an “island of safety” in your classroom, even without strong school-wide support.
• Tools and systems to help students develop self-regulation skills.
• Tips for avoiding burnout and emotional exhaustion when working with extreme behaviors.

Discover how small, intentional shifts in your mindset and practice can make a big impact. Whether you’re a new teacher feeling overwhelmed or a seasoned educator looking for fresh ideas, this episode is full of practical insights to help you guide behavior sustainably—without carrying the weight of fixing everything.

Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

Feeling unnerved by the unpredictability of our world right now? You’re not alone. In this first Truth for Teachers episode of 2025, we’re diving into how to practice radical acceptance as we navigate uncharted territory as educators (and as a society.)

Join me as I share practical strategies I’m using right now for staying grounded, making my world smaller, and focusing on what’s within my control.  We’ll explore how to shift from fear to hope by embracing the opportunities hidden within unpredictability. You’ll hear about my own struggles with anxiety, my word of the year (serendipity), and how unexpected blessings can arise when we let go of needing to plan and control everything.

As we move into 2025, let’s commit to focusing on possibility.

Let’s not judge situations when it’s too soon to see the ripple effect of what’s good and bad. Let’s release the limitations of black-and-white, all-or-nothing thinking, and of judging everything as a positive thing or a negative through an immediate reaction. Let’s release judgment of the situation altogether, and practice radical acceptance. Let’s choose to see unpredictability not as a threat but as an invitation. Let’s keep showing up, creating, and building a future rooted in hope. 

Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

In this last episode of 2024, I want to leave you with a powerful conversation to marinate on deeply.

I’m talking with Dr. Shamari Reid, an assistant professor of justice and belonging in education at New York University. He has taught Spanish, English as a new language, and ELA at the elementary, secondary, and post-secondary levels in Oklahoma, New York, Uruguay, and Spain. 

Shamari shares the journey from seeing himself as a “teacher superhero” to understanding he’s a human who teaches. Like many of us, Shamari once believed that it was his job to save his students and fix systemic issues like racism and classism through sheer hard work. That mindset led him to overwork himself until he burned out completely, even blacking out while driving from exhaustion. 

During his recovery, Shamari came across Toni Morrison’s concept of self-regard, which caused him to rethink his identity and realize that he was more than just a teacher. He started to see the importance of recognizing his humanity and taking care of his needs outside of the classroom.

I could relate deeply to Shamari’s experience. As women, especially those of us in nurturing roles, we often feel pressure to put our personal needs last. In this conversation, we unpack how different groups, like Black male educators, face unique pressures. Shamari shares the unrealistic expectations placed on him, particularly being seen as a relatable savior for students facing discipline issues.

Together, we explore how centering love in education—nurturing both students’ and our own emotional and spiritual growth—can create a more just and equitable learning environment. It takes courage to break away from fear-based, status quo practices and lead with love, but it’s necessary.

We talk about how teachers can overcome common fears like making mistakes, not being perfect, or neglecting academics. Shamari shares practical steps for navigating these challenges, including articulating your vision, planning backwards, and, most importantly, giving yourself grace.

At the heart of this conversation is a reminder: being human is enough. We don’t need to earn our worth by overworking or sacrificing our boundaries. It’s okay to say no, set limits, and take care of yourself. By embracing our humanity, we invite love into our classrooms and can overcome obstacles together. 

This is an honest, heartfelt conversation about what it really means to teach with love and why it's crucial to prioritize our well-being. I hope it leaves you feeling inspired and reminded that you are enough—just as you are. 

I’ll be back with more episodes for you in the new year. Until then, be well, my friends, and keeping choosing love over fear.

Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

There’s a powerful connection between movement and cognitive performance. Standing up and moving around can both foster diffuse thinking—the kind of relaxed mental state that encourages breakthroughs and innovative ideas.

In this episode, I’ll share Cal Newport’s research on training the brain for deep work through “productive meditation”, a practice that involves focusing on a specific problem while engaged in physical movement.  I’ll then share 4 practical ways to incorporate productive movement into your instruction, not as a break from learning but as a critical component of it:

Standing meetings and discussions to increase engagement and collaboration. Dictation while walking, allowing students to process and express ideas on the move. Using audio learning while students walk, so they can absorb information away from their desks. Encouraging walking brainstorming sessions to help students collaborate and generate new ideas.

I’ll also share how to extend these strategies to outdoor environments for an even greater cognitive boost, even if you don’t have a large, quiet school campus. 

Finally, I’ll talk about handling off-task behavior and off-topic conversations you observe during productive moment activities, and offer a mental reframing you can use to determine when you should (and shouldn’t) use these movement activities.

Discover how simple shifts in how we think about movement can unlock deeper thinking and more focused learning for both you and your students!

Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.

Many teachers are already seeing incredible results when their students use artificial intelligence to brainstorm creative project ideas, get instant feedback on their writing, and even generate unique artwork.

The potential is there for a lot of good…but also, a lot of bad. As educators in this particular moment in time, we have a unique opportunity to guide students in harnessing AI’s potential while teaching them to think critically about its limitations and impacts.

In this episode, I’ll explain exactly what to say and do to help students to be thoughtful, tech-savvy learners in an AI-driven world. This kind of instruction could begin as soon as kids are using devices–after all, even an elementary-aged child who’s watching videos on YouTube or playing games from the app store is already being impacted by AI-driven algorithms, images, and text.

Obviously, you don’t need to go into a ton of detail with kids who aren’t using AI, but we’re seeing kids as young as fourth graders discovering ChatGPT and using it for assignments, so I think that an awareness of AI is important for teachers of any age group. And of course, we need to understand it for ourselves as adults, so we’re prepared to be thoughtful and intentional about how we use AI ourselves in our personal lives, and how we allow it to shift the way schools operate.

Listen in for a detailed guide to introducing AI in the classroom, breaking down complex concepts in a way that’s engaging and accessible for students: Step 1: De-mystify the technology. Step 2: Set a purpose: why should we care? Step 3: Spark curiosity and explore possibilities.  Step 4: Build awareness of limitations and potential problems. Step 5: Generate guidelines for responsible AI use. Step 6: Communicate clearly about when it is and isn’t okay to use AI for assignments in your class.

By giving kids an in-depth understanding of AI, you’re going to really increase their buy-in. You’re not just saying “AI is cheating; don’t use it” and trying to police violations and punish students. You’re helping them understand and use it responsibly. This episode offers a clear roadmap for empowering your students to use AI thoughtfully and responsibly.

Access the written step-by-step guide on the blog. Get a done-for-you mini unit on introducing students to ethical AI use: https://shop.truthforteachers.com/products/ethical-student-ai-use-guidelines-teach-students-to-use-artificial-intelligence

When students give up on assignments or get overwhelmed, it’s tough to find ways to help them re-engage.

So, I’ve invited Dr. John Spencer (https://spencereducation.com/) of The Creative Classroom podcast (https://spencereducation.com/podcast/) to help us uncover 5 brain-based ways to help kids who shut down in class. John is a former middle school teacher and current college professor on a quest to transform schools into bastions of creativity and wonder.

Listen in as John and I explore how to:

1. Intentionally cultivate self-empowerment (the ability to self-regulate and self-direct.)

2. Introduce creative constraints when kids are overwhelmed.

3. Use the gradual release model to slowly acclimate students to more self-directed work.

4. Think diagnostically, looking for root causes beyond those related to behavior.

5. Call impromptu workshops when you notice a significant number of students struggling.

Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.